Rosemead (Lin, 2025) - LIFF ‘25
There are times when a film’s plot summary interests you due to its dark nature. Then, when you watch it becomes something completely unexpected. In other cases, you might wish you had simply not watched the film. In a film inspired by true events, Rosemead (Lin, 2025) leaves you torn between both of these circumstances.
The United States is burdened will hundreds of school shootings every year. Not just school shootings but with their lack of gun control, too much death occurs. It is no wonder that a teenager may become obsessed with statistics or events. However, it becomes all the more worrisome when their interest turns into something more. Not only may an obsession like this worry those around the individual, but the parents would be affected most of all. In Eric Lin’s Rosemead one mother’s love is put through the greatest test.
After the death of her husband, Irene (Lucy Liu) must deal with her own ailment and also her son Joe’s (Lawrence Shou). Keeping her medical secret from her son is not easy. But things are only made worse when his mental health takes a turn. Through therapy, they thought things were under control. This proves not to be the case. One hold and secure drill sets Joe over the edge and towards a downward spiral he may never come back from.
At the beginning, the filmmaking, acting and plot are all compelling for the viewer. You are invested in the lives of Irene and Joe. Through compassion you are made to understand what the two are going and have gone through. Illness and mental health are not things to be trifled with. Most people have dealt with something in one form or another, whether that be personally or through a loved one. It is this element that becomes the connector between character and audience.
Joe is diagnosed with schizophrenia, a mental health condition that affects his thoughts, feelings and behaviours. He develops this violent obsession towards guns and shootings across the country. At first hidden very well, Irene eventually begins to figure things out. As things unravel, Irene and Joe go head to head. It changes from loving a mother-son relationship to something much worse. With Joe fighting against all obstacles, it comes down to Irene’s choices to be able to protect her son, and ultimately everyone around him.
Rosemead is Eric Lin’s directorial debut and its screenplay written by Marilyn Fu. Based on the 2017 LA Times column by Frank Shyong, the film is a portrait of a mother’s love and a Chinese American family. As compelling and interesting as it was in the beginning, by the end it is all too dark and uncomfortable. For some viewers, they may be able to reflect better on the message the film means to tell. But, perhaps for non-American viewers, the taste that is left in your mouth is too much to handle.
While the entire cast perform well and the filmmaking form is evident, there is too much for the audience to digest. Rosemead gets lost in too many plot points. It leaves a sour taste in your mouth. You are made to feel nauseous by the end. Your thoughts as to the lengths of a mother’s love may be altered. Everything changes. Nothing is left to chance in the lives of Irene and Joe. Though you cannot help but be sad, you may also be disgusted as well.
Rosemead premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year. Before it releases in US cinemas, it received its UK premiere at the Leeds International Film Festival on November 2, 2025.
